LAGOS, Nigeria (BN24) — Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci on Friday officially began her latest culinary challenge: cooking the world’s largest pot of jollof rice.
The ambitious attempt, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, is part of the “Gino Jollof Festival,” a food-themed event hosted in collaboration with seasoning and culinary brand Gino.
Baci, who made international headlines in 2023 after setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, is now eyeing another milestone with a custom-built pot designed specifically for the feat. The massive vessel measures six meters in both width and height and will hold 250 bags of rice during the cooking process.
Before the cooking commenced, the lead pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Bolaji Idowu, offered prayers and a blessing over the event, marking a ceremonial start to the historic effort.
A crowd of celebrities and influencers, including Enioluwa Adeoluwa, Tomike Adeoye, Folagade Banks, and Veekee James, were present to support Baci. Thousands of attendees, largely made up of Gen Zs, millennials, and food enthusiasts, gathered at the venue, turning the event into a vibrant celebration of Nigerian cuisine.
Organizers reported that over 20,000 people registered to attend the festival, which is free and open to the public.
Baci assured attendees of the meal’s quality, promising that the jollof rice would be “amazing and hygienic,” and described the event as a chance to create a record-breaking experience centered on one of West Africa’s most beloved dishes.
